The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Bob brought up a good point, and I think it is a good way to kick off the archives until I start putting together the Featured Phonograph threads again.

bob27556 wrote:I would like to start a thread about how sloppy our workshops/areas can get when we're busy with phono projects.

Feel free to reply to this thread with pictures and comments!

— MordEth

I fully admit to being a compu-moron but I can't find a way to upload photos to the archives.

OK. Youve got a project or 2 going on and out come the various tools and eqiupment to progress the repairs and restorations. But, how many of us are disciplned enough to put the gear away as we finish with it? So...show us your mess! Here are some pictures of my wreckage.

David, Sorry for stating this up in the tips and tricks section but maybe going for the archives was just creating problems.

We just crossed paths here. I've started it up in tips and tricks.

bob27556 wrote:OK. You’ve got a project or 2 going on and out come the various tools and equipment to progress the repairs and restorations. But, how many of us are disciplined enough to put the gear away as we finish with it? So...show us your mess! Here are some pictures of my wreckage.

Bob,

I think that you’re more organized than I tend to be; despite the clutter you have quite a lot of things neatly hung on pegboard or lined up on shelves. I imagine you can actually find the things you’re looking for in your workspace.

I mostly work around a computer (any phonograph restoration or maintenance that I have done has consisted of helping John with one machine or another), and that space is either very clean (seldom) or extensively piled with stuff (currently).

Maybe I’ll take a few pictures and a screen capture of a phonograph being cut out (i.e. a work-in-progress shot)...or show the scanning of record labels.

Most of my tools either reside in a backpack or a dresser, partially because I live in an apartment, and also because you never know when you might need a screwdriver, Allen wrench, etc.—especially when you work with computer hardware. I don’t know many people that are prone to having a set of hex keys with them.

Of course, when I was younger I worked at a hardware store for a number of years. I learned a lot there from some very handy older gentlemen.

bob27556 wrote:David, Sorry for starting this up in the tips and tricks section but maybe going for the archives was just creating problems.

It was entirely my fault for not having gotten to testing things—hopefully everything should be sorted out now (and I deleted my other comment about it—it didn’t add anything to the topic). Since a few people voted in the poll (after I fixed it), I merged the two threads, and hopefully no-one minds.

Your friendly internet daemon,

MordEth

I am in a predicament each time I go to work on something. If it's clean electronics (building a theremin, for example, my latest project) that can be done in my laboratory upstairs. I have a workbench for electronics, including some test equipment, soldering station, a multitude of tools, and a vacuum cleaner. However, this area is constantly dirty from too many projects going on at one time!

On the other hand, if it's dirty...it has to go downstairs......in the basement! Or garage, as the case may be. Yes, that includes greasy phonograph works! And down there...I just about never find anything! Nor can I in the lab, but at least I know where stuff should be, because the lab is only my area. I have to share the garage with my dad, of course! So that means amidst the two motorcycles, two lawnmowers, an edge trimmer, a pressure washer, and many other power tools and yard equipment, I have some slight room to work. Not to mention gun reloading supplies which seem to overfill the small workbench down there!

I NEED MORE ROOM!

Hello everyone,

Nice thread that you have here. I already voted, and it is somewhat accurate as my work area goes from neat and orderly to an abomination in less them then it will take to write this post.

The only thing is my work area is for coin collecting, lol. I can have everything put neatly away, books in orders, coins in boxes, 2x2's, binders, etc. then someone will ask me a question and I tear the whole place apart looking for a book or coin to examine, etc to find the answer. it probably is a good thing i do not collect large items such as you all do. Thing of how long it would take me to clean it up!

I have to admit to not being a phonograph collector but thanks to a great friend, I have spent many hours enjoying the wonderful music.

Regards,
BD

Folks,

I would have to go with #11 Honorary Collyer brother!

Regards,
J.

That's right, I'm conjuring this thread from the hereafter!

I generally like to keep my workbench pretty clean, and I try to only work on one machine at a time, though that doesn't always work out.

I bought a retirement condo before I realized I was going to be up to my eyebrows in phonographs. That means most of my work gets done in the kitchen, so I have to pick up after myself if I want to eat. Otherwise, it might not be pretty!

And the other challenge under this scenario is trying to find spots for all my collections.

Clay